Ask a Hairstylist: The Best Short Haircuts for Fine, Thin Hair

Add volume with a choppy cut.

Author:
Bill Angst
Publish date:
Jul 25, 2022

Welcome to our Hair Consultations column. Bill Angst is a celebrity hairstylist and the owner of Angst Hair in Toronto, Canada. To request an online hair consultation, follow the instructions here.

Q: Hello Bill, I need your help. I always feel that my hair is so thin, and it doesn’t look good on me. I have fine, medium-length hair, but it’s completely lifeless and just lies limp.

Hair

Celebrity

I always wear my hair loose, but in addition to lacking volume, I don’t think my current style works well with my face shape.

Can you please suggest a hairstyle that will suit me and make my hair look thicker? — Susan

A: Susan, thank you for sending along your request for a hair consultation. Fine hair is actually a favourite subject for me.

Let’s talk about your positive attributes first, such as the lovely volume and movement that you have at the top of your head. With these being your best bits, it is time to feature them with a cut that will show them off.

Short and Choppy

If your hair at its present length is not working—and if you’re up for a dramatic change—then you might want to try a choppy short style like these:

Halle Berry

Carey Mulligan

At this length, your hair will automatically look and feel fuller, with the tousled layers giving you a lot more texture. The side-swept fringe would shape your face beautifully, and the pokey ends will frame your lovely cheeks.

Short With Baby Bangs

If such a piecey look is not for you, I also love this sleeker version with baby bangs:

Rowan Blanchard

These bangs are about the same length as what you have now, and I really like them on you. They draw attention to your pretty eyes and enviable brow shape.

Short With Long Bangs

Once you get tired of the short bangs, you could grow them out into this longer, layered fringe with a cropped nape:

Kat Graham

Victoria Beckham

Choppy Bob

If you’re not ready to go so short, here are some choppy bobs that would also work well for your thin hair:

Chelsea Kane

Jaimie Alexander

Colour and Styling

It would add another layer of fun if you deepened your colour to this glossy black:

Ruth Negga

dpHUE Gloss+ Semi-Permanent Hair Color and Deep Conditioner

This will add to the strength of your new cut and make your dark eyes pop.

With darker hair, I find the separation of the ends is really important—the shape of the cut reads better. I recommend that you use a molding paste on the ends to define them and achieve the piecey look:

Shu Uemura Ishi Sculpt Sculpting Paste

R+Co Mannequin Styling Paste

Virtue 6-in-1 Styling Paste

You can also play around with different parts. For example, a deep side part is an easy way to give your hair the appearance of fullness:

Naomi Scott

And here is one final “fantasy” cut and colour that I couldn’t resist showing you:

Sofia Boutella

The short bob length and short bangs would be so flattering with your features. As long as you keep your roots and eyebrows dark, the blonde would be a fun way to switch things up. (And don’t forget the red lipstick!)

I hope that these ideas will inspire you with the many ways to make fine, thin hair seem fuller.

billyxoxo

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